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Thursday, June 11, 2009

World Health Organization declares Swine Flu pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the Swine Flu pandemic warning level from 5 to 6 on Thursday, June 11, according to the Associated Press. The global flu is reportedly the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. WHO Chief Dr. Margaret Chan is expected to make a statement about the pandemic on Thursday.

WHO said in a statement that, "At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterized globally as being moderate in severity." The organization also told member countries that it was talking with flu vaccine makers and believes the "firms could work '"to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.'"

In the meantime, Swine flu in continuing to spread in the northern hemisphere. The last pandemic, the Hong Kong flu of 1968, killed about 1 million people. Some health experts feel the current pandemic warning should have been declared earlier; however, others fear that would have caused widespread panic. "Raising the epidemic alert to the highest level will almost certainly spark some panic about spread of swine flu," according to the Associated Press article "WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years."

Though some countries are responding more aggressively, representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, "the move would not change how the U.S. tackled swine flu." So far, in the U.S., there have been "13,000 cases and at least 27 deaths from swine flu."

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